Swimming Hole Discovery Tour launched in downtown Portland

Human Access Project (HAP) presents the Willamette River Swimming Hole Discovery Tour (The Tour). The Tour is a workshop focusing on the question, “Where are the future human access points to the Willamette River and what might they look like?”

The Tour will take place Tuesday, Sept. 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 (boarding begins at 5pm and ends promptly at 5:30). Participants will meet at Portland Spirit’s Southeast Portland landing at 110 SE Caruthers Street. The Tour will take place upon a Portland Spirit's Willamette Star and is open to the public on a first come first serve basis. The cost to participate is only $5. Bunk Bar will provide a free pint for the first 50 people who attend the after-party following The Tour.

The Tour will principally explore the east bank of the Willamette River, between the Steel and Marquam Bridges, and identify potential beach and swimming areas. What will the Willamette River in downtown Portland look like in the future -- sandy beaches, swimming holes, docks, diving boards, perhaps even rope swings? Tour participants will be encouraged to share ideas on how the river and its banks can be developed to facilitate human access and recreation in safe, healthy, and productive ways that are compatible and support fish and wildlife.

“A key component of the City of Portland’s CC 2035 planning process is how the Willamette River will be developed,” says Willie Levenson, HAP Ringleader. “And how Portland will gain or not gain greater access to our river over the next 20 years. This is the public’s opportunity to be Trail Blazers without a basketball.” City of Portland staff will be on hand to hear participant ideas.

Play a part in helping create more human access points and beaches on the Willamette River in Downtown Portland. Join the Riverlution and the Downtown Portland, Willamette River, Swimming Hole Discovery Tour!